NHL Best Bets
The hot streak continues, as last night was a perfect 3-0 night to kick off the final week of the season. Unfortunately, the games tonight don’t necessarily have much meaning since the playoffs are essentially set. There are only four games tonight, but most eyes will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs game as Auston Matthews looks to score his 70th goal of the season. It’s not a guarantee that he will be playing, but if he does, it’s a good game for an NHL best bet.Â
Toronto at Tampa Bay (-125, 6.5)
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning have nothing to play for since their first-round matchups are already set. The Maple Leafs will play the Boston Bruins, and the Lightning will take on their in-state rival, the Florida Panthers.Â
That said, all of the attention in this game will be on Auston Matthews and his attempt to do something nobody in the NHL has done in 30+ years. The last two players to score 70+ goals in an NHL season were Alexander Mogilny and Teemu Selanne in the 1992-93 season.
There was a brief moment when it felt that Matthews’s progress would be nearly impossible, but after scoring 10 goals in his last 10 games, the opportunity is his.
Matt Tomkins will likely be in goal for the Lightning tonight and he has only had five starts this season. In those five games, Tomkins went 2-2-1 with a .891 save percentage and a 3.19 goals against average.
If Matthews plays tonight, which I think he will, the puck should be on his stick all night.
The outcome of this game does not matter at all. This is all about Matthews.
NHL Best Bet(s): Auston Matthews anytime goal scorer -155 (play to -165) | Auston Matthews Over 4.5 shots on goal -140 (play to -150)
April Record: 18-5 (+12.60 units)
2023-24 record: 147–137 (-16.11 units)
